Saturday’s Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) marks the next step in Public Attention’s road to October’s Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Karaka-sourced colt was an impressive winner on debut at Caulfield at the end of July and has since prevailed in a barrier trial at his home track of Cranbourne ahead of his return to the races.
“He had a nice trial. I can’t fault him at this point,” Price said.
“He’s just got to get around Moonee Valley, I hope it’s not one of those hustle-bustle 1200s because for a horse like him, I just think he’s going to be a bigger-track type of horse.
“His win at Caulfield was good, but it was still indicative that he is going to be a 1400m to a mile type, but I am happy with him and he will take his place.
Public Attention has already been to Moonee Valley this preparation to give him a look around the unique, tight-turning, inner-city circuit.
“He worked along with Raikoke and he worked good,” Price said of that visit to The Valley.
“He’s a lovely colt and I think he’ll show up. He seemed to handle Moonee Valley in the gallop, I do prefer him on a big track but hopefully he can run well Saturday and then appear in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude into the Caulfield Guineas, so that’ll be his three runs.
“You’ve got to have your timing right for these horses to win the good races, so timing wise it will be fine and it is just a matter of whether he is good enough to do the job.”
The New Zealand TAB has Public Attention at $21 in its early market for the Caulfield Guineas.
Racing in the navy blue colours of Coolmore, Public Attention, the striking grey colt was bought by Tom Magnier for $160,000 from Carlaw Park’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2023.
Public Attention was bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan. He is by Written Tycoon and is the first foal out of the twice-winning Commands mare Legramor (NZ) (Commands), whose dam Katie Lee (Pins) made New Zealand racing history with her unprecedented double in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).
Legramor produced a filly by U S Navy Flag in 2022 and a colt by Tarzino in 2023. She was served by Satono Aladdin last spring.
